Bundaberg CareFlight helicopter flies dawn mission

The Bundaberg-based RACQ CareFlight Rescue helicopter has been tasked on a dawn mission this morning, flying to Fraser Island to retrieve a seriously ill tourist from a popular vacation spot at first light.

The male patient, a north Brisbane local in his mid-50s who was staying at Happy Valley, showed signs of a medical condition during the early morning hours and the decision was made to airlift him from the island.

The CareFlight crew transported him to Hervey Bay Hospital in a stable condition.

The Bundaberg RACQ CareFlight Rescue crew performed 242 rescue missions in the 2014-2015 financial year, airlifting seriously ill or injured patients from locations in and around Bundaberg, the North and South Burnett, Fraser Coast and further afield.

“CareFlight’s lifesaving service is possible thanks to the ongoing community support we receive from kind-hearted individuals, businesses and councils including the Bundaberg Regional Council who generously donated $50,000 recently,” CareFlight North Coast Fundraising Manager Angela Miles said.

“This vital funding has already been put to good use with the Bundaberg helicopter flying an additional 91 missions since July 1, 2015.

“We can’t thank the Bundaberg Regional Council enough for its generosity.”